It's important for the planet that people start conserving its natural resources. That includes leaving trees, coal, oil and gasoline where they are, and perfecting other methods of getting needed energy.

Sustainable Energy Trends

The energy crisis of the 1970s should have been a wake-up call and a trend towards relying on safe, renewable sources of energy. However, the big push is only coming now, when the world is about to go past the point when global warming can be reversed. The truth is, global warming is a bigger emergency than the energy crisis ever was. Conservation efforts are being made in many places, but it might possibly be an instance of "too little, too late".

Thankfully, many cities and even utility billing services are offering incentives for their consumers, such as reduced energy bills when customers switch to solar or wind power. Many cities like Boston are also encouraging residents to install solar panels and other energy-saving devices like efficient thermostats. Some states even allow tax credits for those who have installed solar panels or insulation in their homes.

In addition, cities are paying building owners to host solar panels on their roofs or in vacant lots. Solar panel "farms" have also sprung up rapidly along highways. While in the Great Plains and in communities near the ocean, windmills are being installed. Although geothermal energy is not yet widely used, scientists are looking at the possibility that utility companies can harness heat from the earth, called geothermal energy. Other innovations like passive buildings are going to extremes to conserve energy. In a passive building, heat is constantly recycled throughout the living areas rather than leaving through the windows or roof. Much less energy is needed to keep the occupants of a passive house comfortable. Newer inventions like solar batteries are also helping to store energy generated by the sun for use at night or on dark days.

The Energy Crisis

Back in the 1970s, the United States went through an energy crisis because oil suppliers in the Middle East stopped selling it. It seems reasonable that immediately this country would begin investing heavily in alternative and sustainable methods of energy production. Sadly, though, the country remained hooked on oil and gas. Instead of quickly urging scientists and inventors to develop different methods of energy production, citizens were simply forced to use less. Long lines at gas pumps were the norm for most of 1973 and neighbors turned on neighbors for being "unpatriotic" if lights could be seen through every

Those who went through the crisis became very good at conserving energy. Because gasoline was expensive and in short supply, people walked and took public transportation more often than driving; people who had to drive carpooled. At home, everyone bundled up and turned the heat down as well as turning off lights when leaving a room. Holidays in the winter of 1973 were a little darker than usual since electric Christmas lights were banned in many communities. For some, the crisis formed good lifetime habits like turning lights out in empty rooms and trading in gas-guzzling cars for more efficient vehicles. As soon as the crisis was over, however, many rejoiced and immediately went back to their wasteful habits.

Every U.S. citizen needs to learn lessons for the situation in the '70s. Conservation and adaptation are necessities for everyone right now. Even though there is currently no energy crisis, there is a global warming crisis. If everyone plays a part in both conserving energy and investing in better sources of it, the world might still have a chance to heal.